Hang in there

MADE IT : Divers clear the area after completing the fast roping exercise.

STEADY : LSCD Steven Kym launches himself from the Seahawk Helicopter.

GETTING READY : HMAS Adelaide’s boarding party team undergo training at the small boats complex at HMAS Stirling.

Photos: ABPH Joanne Edwards

Personnel from Clearance Dive Team Four recently took a break from their specialist diving tasks to conduct a fast roping exercise at the helicopter support facility at HMAS Stirling.

The clearance divers rapidly rappelled from a Seahawk Helicopter (Sandman) at a range of heights.

Prior to descending from the helicopter, the clearance divers had to complete static jumps and a lock off (controlled hang) for a period of 20 seconds, while wearing full safety equipment, from the fast roping tower.

The static jumps varied in height from 5 metres progressing to 15 metres.

Fast roping is taught to Defence members as a component of their boarding party training by instructors from the small arms training school at HMAS Cerberus.

 

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